Idioms are fun phrases that mean something different from the literal words you say. People use them every day to make talking and writing much more colorful and exciting. In this lesson, you will learn a wonderful collection of idioms related to hurrying up, moving fast, and wasting no time.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for hurry up that mean moving quickly, rushing tasks, and acting fast. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Hurry Up
1. Shake a leg
Meaning: This idiom means speeding up and moving your feet faster to hurry.
For Example: We will miss the school bus if you do not shake a leg right now. / The coach told the team to shake a leg so practice could start on time.
Other Ways to Say: Speed up / Move faster
2. Make haste
Meaning: This idiom means acting quickly and moving with urgency to save time.
For Example: Make haste or we will be late for the museum field trip. / She told her brother to make haste while packing his backpack.
Other Ways to Say: Hurry / Move quickly
3. Step on it
Meaning: This idiom means pressing down harder on a car pedal or urging someone to go faster.
For Example: Dad told us to step on it so we would not miss the start of the movie. / We need to step on it if we want to arrive before the store closes.
Other Ways to Say: Speed up / Go faster
4. Chop chop
Meaning: This idiom is a fun and urgent call telling someone to move much faster.
For Example: Chop chop, put your shoes on or we will miss breakfast. / The camp counselor shouted chop chop to get everyone onto the bus.
Other Ways to Say: Hurry up / Move quickly
5. Time is of the essence
Meaning: This idiom means a situation is very urgent and you must not waste any time.
For Example: We only have five minutes before the bell rings, so time is of the essence. / When packing for the trip, remember that time is of the essence.
Other Ways to Say: Act quickly / Do not delay
6. Beat the clock
Meaning: This idiom means finishing a task or arriving somewhere before time runs out.
For Example: We rushed to finish our math test to beat the clock before recess. / Running fast helped us beat the clock and get inside before the rain started.
Other Ways to Say: Finish on time / Beat the deadline
7. Pick up the pace
Meaning: This idiom means increasing your speed while walking, running, or working.
For Example: The hiking guide told us to pick up the pace before it got dark. / If we pick up the pace, we can finish cleaning up before lunch.
Other Ways to Say: Speed up / Go faster
8. Like greased lightning
Meaning: This idiom describes moving or happening with incredible speed and haste.
For Example: He ran across the soccer field like greased lightning to score a goal. / Cleaning his bedroom happened like greased lightning when friends came over.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely fast / In a flash
9. In a flash
Meaning: This idiom means something happens or must be done extremely fast.
For Example: The magic trick ended in a flash before anyone could see how it worked. / Get your jackets on because we are leaving in a flash.
Other Ways to Say: Very quickly / Instantly
10. Split second
Meaning: This idiom describes a tiny, extremely brief moment of time where you must act fast.
For Example: In a split second, he caught the falling glass before it hit the floor. / Making a decision took a split second during the game.
Other Ways to Say: Moment / Instant
11. Run like the wind
Meaning: This idiom means running with maximum speed and urgency.
For Example: When the race started, she began to run like the wind toward the finish line. / The puppy saw a ball and started to run like the wind across the yard.
Other Ways to Say: Run fast / Sprint
12. At full tilt
Meaning: This idiom means moving or working at your absolute maximum speed.
For Example: The vacuum cleaner was running at full tilt while we cleaned the living room. / He rode his bicycle down the driveway at full tilt.
Other Ways to Say: Maximum speed / Full speed
13. Double time
Meaning: This idiom means moving or performing a task twice as fast as usual.
For Example: The marching band practiced walking in double time for the parade. / We had to pack our art supplies in double time before the bell.
Other Ways to Say: Hurry up / Move quickly
14. Fire away
Meaning: This idiom means starting a task or speaking up immediately without waiting.
For Example: If you have questions about the homework, fire away. / The teacher told us to open our books and fire away with the quiz.
Other Ways to Say: Start fast / Begin now
15. Hit the ground running
Meaning: This idiom means starting a new project or day with immediate speed and energy.
For Example: Arriving early allowed her to hit the ground running on her science project. / New students are encouraged to hit the ground running during orientation.
Other Ways to Say: Start fast / Begin eagerly
16. Fast and furious
Meaning: This idiom describes a situation happening with intense speed and energy.
For Example: The game of dodgeball was fast and furious from the very first minute. / The bidding at the charity auction was fast and furious.
Other Ways to Say: Rapid and intense / Very fast
17. At breakneck speed
Meaning: This idiom describes moving so dangerously fast that it feels reckless.
For Example: The skateboarder rushed down the hill at breakneck speed. / Do not ride your bicycle down the driveway at breakneck speed.
Other Ways to Say: Dangerously fast / Recklessly quick
18. Quick as a wink
Meaning: This idiom means completing a task or movement in a fraction of a second.
For Example: He solved the easy math riddle quick as a wink. / She tied her shoelaces quick as a wink before running outside.
Other Ways to Say: Very fast / Instantly
19. Quick as lightning
Meaning: This idiom describes an action happening with sudden, flashing speed.
For Example: The cat grabbed the toy mouse quick as lightning. / His hands moved quick as lightning while shuffling cards.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely fast / Instantly
20. On the double
Meaning: This idiom means hurrying up and completing a task immediately without delay.
For Example: The coach told the players to grab their water bottles on the double. / Pack your toys away on the double so we can leave.
Other Ways to Say: Hurry / Immediately
21. Race against time
Meaning: This idiom means trying desperately to finish a task before time runs out.
For Example: Finishing the art project before the bell was a real race against time. / Searching for the lost keys became a race against time.
Other Ways to Say: Urgent task / Rushing against the clock
22. Speed things up
Meaning: This idiom means making a process or task go faster than before.
For Example: Adding more helpers will help speed things up in the kitchen. / Pressing the fast-forward button will speed things up.
Other Ways to Say: Accelerate / Go faster
23. Move it
Meaning: This idiom is a direct, urgent command telling someone to walk or run faster.
For Example: The camp counselor shouted to move it so everyone could catch the bus. / We need to move it or we will miss recess.
Other Ways to Say: Hurry up / Go faster
24. Step lively
Meaning: This idiom means walking with extra speed and energy to avoid being slow.
For Example: Step lively while crossing the busy street with your classmates. / The tour guide told the group to step lively.
Other Ways to Say: Walk fast / Move briskly
25. Put a move on
Meaning: This idiom means starting to hurry up and travel somewhere without delay.
For Example: Put a move on if you want to get good seats at the assembly. / We need to put a move on to reach the park before dark.
Other Ways to Say: Hurry / Speed up
26. Make tracks
Meaning: This idiom means leaving a place quickly and hurrying away.
For Example: Seeing the dark storm clouds made us make tracks for home. / It is getting late, so let us make tracks.
Other Ways to Say: Leave fast / Hurry away
27. Hit the road running
Meaning: This idiom means starting a journey or project with immediate haste.
For Example: We packed our bags and hit the road running early Saturday morning. / The club started the fundraiser by hitting the road running.
Other Ways to Say: Start fast / Begin moving
28. Fleet of foot
Meaning: This idiom describes someone who can run with great speed and agility.
For Example: The track star was fleet of foot and won every running race. / Being fleet of foot makes you great at playing soccer.
Other Ways to Say: Fast runner / Swift mover
29. Burning rubber
Meaning: This idiom describes a car accelerating so fast that tires smoke against the pavement.
For Example: Dad was burning rubber to get us to the airport on time. / The race cars started burning rubber as the green flag dropped.
Other Ways to Say: Accelerating fast / Speeding off
30. Hurtling along
Meaning: This idiom means moving forward with great speed and momentum.
For Example: The sled was hurtling along down the snowy hill. / We watched the train hurtling along the tracks.
Other Ways to Say: Racing along / Moving fast
31. Whizzing by
Meaning: This idiom describes objects moving past you with a fast, rushing sound.
For Example: Bicycles were whizzing by us on the park bike path. / The weekend went by whizzing by so fast.
Other Ways to Say: Passing quickly / Rushing past
32. Zooming along
Meaning: This idiom means traveling or progressing at a fast, smooth speed.
For Example: Once we learned the rules, our board game was zooming along nicely. / The toy race cars were zooming along the wooden track.
Other Ways to Say: Moving fast / Progressing quickly
33. Sprinting
Meaning: This idiom or action word means running at top speed for a short distance.
For Example: He started sprinting toward the finish line during gym class. / Sprinting helps warm up your muscles before soccer practice.
Other Ways to Say: Running fast / Fast dash
34. Flying
Meaning: This idiom jokingly or metaphorically means moving with extreme speed.
For Example: We finished our math worksheet so fast that time felt like it was flying. / He was flying down the hallway to reach class before the bell.
Other Ways to Say: Moving fast / Rushing
35. Rushing
Meaning: This idiom means moving with hurried energy because time is short.
For Example: Stop rushing through your drawing or you might make mistakes. / Rushing to catch the bus made me forget my water bottle.
Other Ways to Say: Hurrying / Moving fast
36. Scrambling
Meaning: This idiom means moving quickly and hurriedly, often using hands and feet.
For Example: We were scrambling to pick up spilled crayons before recess ended. / The puppies were scrambling over each other for treats.
Other Ways to Say: Hurrying / Rushing about
37. Hustling
Meaning: This idiom means working or moving with brisk energy and speed.
For Example: The team was hustling to score a goal in the final minutes. / Keep hustling and you will finish your chores in no time.
Other Ways to Say: Working fast / Hurrying
38. Sped up
Meaning: This idiom means increasing your operational speed to finish earlier.
For Example: We sped up our cleaning routine so we could go play outside. / The video player sped up the funny animation sequence.
Other Ways to Say: Accelerated / Made faster
39. Fast forward
Meaning: This idiom means skipping ahead in time or speeding up a process.
For Example: Sometimes we wish we could fast forward through boring chores. / Pressing fast forward on the remote skips the opening song.
Other Ways to Say: Skip ahead / Speed time
40. High gear
Meaning: This idiom means operating or working at maximum speed and efficiency.
For Example: Once the test started, my brain went into high gear. / The team shifted into high gear during the second half of the game.
Other Ways to Say: Maximum effort / Full speed
41. Full speed ahead
Meaning: This idiom means proceeding with your task at maximum speed without stopping.
For Example: With all supplies ready, it was full speed ahead for our science project. / The captain shouted full speed ahead on the boat.
Other Ways to Say: Proceed fast / Keep moving
42. Put the pedal to the metal
Meaning: This idiom means pressing a vehicle pedal all the way down to go as fast as possible.
For Example: To make it to the party on time, we needed to put the pedal to the metal. / He put the pedal to the metal in the racing game.
Other Ways to Say: Go as fast as possible / Speed up
43. Flying fingers
Meaning: This idiom describes typing or playing an instrument with incredible speed.
For Example: The pianist played the song with flying fingers across the keys. / Typing my essay required flying fingers on the keyboard.
Other Ways to Say: Fast typing / Rapid playing
44. Blazing speed
Meaning: This idiom describes moving with intense, fiery quickness.
For Example: The cheetah crossed the savannah with blazing speed. / He solved the puzzle with blazing speed.
Other Ways to Say: Extreme velocity / Very fast
45. Lightning fast
Meaning: This idiom means happening as fast as a flash of lightning.
For Example: Her lightning fast reflexes helped her catch the bouncing ball. / The computer processed the math problem lightning fast.
Other Ways to Say: Instantaneous / Extremely quick
46. Whipping through
Meaning: This idiom means completing a task or chore with fast, energetic movement.
For Example: She was whipping through her homework so she could play outside. / We spent the morning whipping through cleaning chores.
Other Ways to Say: Finishing fast / Rushing through
47. Ripping along
Meaning: This idiom means progressing or traveling at an impressive, fast pace.
For Example: Our art project was ripping along once we got more paint brushes. / The toy train was ripping along the tracks.
Other Ways to Say: Moving fast / Progressing quickly
48. Burning up the track
Meaning: This idiom describes running or driving around a racing track with great speed.
For Example: The runner was burning up the track during the district finals. / Our go-kart was burning up the track all afternoon.
Other Ways to Say: Racing fast / Speeding
49. Racing against the clock
Meaning: This idiom means trying to finish a test or task before time runs out completely.
For Example: Answering the last three questions felt like racing against the clock. / We were racing against the clock to wrap the presents.
Other Ways to Say: Time trial / Rushing deadline
50. Stepping on the gas
Meaning: This idiom means increasing your speed to hurry up and arrive on time.
For Example: We need to start stepping on the gas if we want to catch the bus. / He was stepping on the gas during the bicycle race.
Other Ways to Say: Accelerate / Go faster
51. Quick march
Meaning: This idiom is a traditional command to start walking forward at a brisk, fast pace.
For Example: The camp leader called out quick march to get the line moving. / We began walking in a quick march toward the dining hall.
Other Ways to Say: Walk fast / Brisk pace
52. Double quick
Meaning: This idiom means doing a chore or errand with extreme speed and urgency.
For Example: Go clean your room double quick so we can leave for the park. / He ran back inside double quick to grab his jacket.
Other Ways to Say: Very fast / Immediately
53. Tear around
Meaning: This idiom means running and rushing wildly and quickly from place to place.
For Example: The happy puppies spent the morning tearing around the backyard. / Stop tearing around the house or you might knock over a lamp.
Other Ways to Say: Run wildly / Rush about
54. Tear through
Meaning: This idiom means reading or completing a task with fast, careless speed.
For Example: He managed to tear through two adventure books over the weekend. / Do not tear through your test without checking your answers.
Other Ways to Say: Finish fast / Rush through
55. Zip along
Meaning: This idiom means moving forward smoothly and quickly.
For Example: Our school project began to zip along once everyone had a job. / The bicycle tires helped us zip along the path.
Other Ways to Say: Move fast / Progress smoothly
56. Zoom off
Meaning: This idiom means departing or driving away from a place with great speed.
For Example: The motorcycle gave a rev and decided to zoom off down the street. / We watched the race cars zoom off from the starting line.
Other Ways to Say: Depart quickly / Speed away
57. High-speed pursuit
Meaning: This idiom describes chasing something or someone moving at extreme velocity.
For Example: The toy cars engaged in a fun high-speed pursuit across the rug. / Watching the chase movie felt like a high-speed pursuit.
Other Ways to Say: Fast chase / Rapid pursuit
58. Fast lane
Meaning: This idiom describes living or working in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
For Example: Preparing for three school competitions felt like living in the fast lane. / The robotics club works in the fast lane before contest day.
Other Ways to Say: Fast-paced life / Busy environment
59. Jetting off
Meaning: This idiom means traveling or hurrying away to a destination very quickly.
For Example: Our family was jetting off to visit grandparents for the holidays. / He grabbed his suitcase, ready for jetting off on vacation.
Other Ways to Say: Traveling fast / Leaving quickly
60. Warp speed
Meaning: This idiom jokingly describes moving with science-fiction levels of extreme speed.
For Example: Once the weekend arrived, time felt like it was moving at warp speed. / Clean up your room at warp speed so we can go outside.
Other Ways to Say: Maximum velocity / Extremely fast
Exercise to Practice
- We will miss the school bus if you do not ________ right now.
- ________ or we will be late for the museum field trip.
- Dad told us to ________ so we would not miss the start of the movie.
- ________, put your shoes on or we will miss breakfast.
- We only have five minutes before the bell rings, so ________.
- We rushed to finish our math test to ________ before recess.
- The hiking guide told us to ________ before it got dark.
- He ran across the soccer field ________ to score a goal.
- The magic trick ended ________ before anyone could see how it worked.
- In a ________, he caught the falling glass before it hit the floor.
- When the race started, she began to ________ toward the finish line.
- The vacuum cleaner was running ________ while we cleaned the living room.
- The marching band practiced walking in ________ for the parade.
- If you have questions about the homework, ________.
- Arriving early allowed her to ________ on her science project.
Answer Key
- shake a leg
- make haste
- step on it
- chop chop
- time is of the essence
- beat the clock
- pick up the pace
- like greased lightning
- in a flash
- split second
- run like the wind
- at full tilt
- double time
- fire away
- hit the ground running
Conclusion
Learning idioms for hurry up makes talking about speed and urgency more fun and exciting. These expressions help you describe moving quickly in a creative and colorful way. They can make everyday conversations more natural and lively. Using the right phrase can also help you express urgency clearly. Try using these idioms when chatting with friends or writing stories. They can make your stories more energetic and engaging. With practice, you can use these expressions confidently in everyday language.
